Giants still dealing with off-field issues
Beckham leads list of notable absentees for NFL team’s voluntary workouts
The New York Giants wrapped up organized team activities the way they started — with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and defensive end Olivier Vernon missing the voluntary workouts.
Coach Ben McAdoo declined Friday to discuss attendance. He has not talked about it since the first media availability, when he said he would coach those there.
McAdoo said he expects everyone to attend mandatory three-day mini-camp, which starts Tuesday.
He refused to talk about the status of defensive end Owa Odighizuwa. The third-year player hinted he wants some time away from football. He also missed the OTAs.
One other issue McAdoo sidestepped was the arrest last weekend of second-year receiver Roger Lewis Jr. on suspicion of driving while impaired in Ohio. The coach plans to let the legal process run its course.
“We are looking forward to minicamp next week, but we got a lot of teaching and learning done,” said McAdoo, who led the Giants to an 11-6 record last season and their first playoff berth since 2011. “That is the goal and it looks like we have some chemistry going.”
The one thing obvious during the OTAs was the Giants’ plan to make second-year running back Paul Perkins the starter. They released starter Rashad Jennings in the off-season, and McAdoo didn’t hesitate to say Perkins was No. 1 on the depth chart.
Perkins played in 14 regular-season games with one start last season, rushing for 456 yards on 112 carries, while catching 15 passes for 162 yards.
Running back coach Craig Johnson called him an effective runner, saying he did a good job of catching the ball and improved with his blocking. He also likes his explosiveness.
“He puts his foot in the ground and bursts through the hole,” Johnson said. ‘I like that. It helps both in the run and in the pass protection. That really helps his versatility.”
Perkins, who was the Giants’ only back to rush 100 yards in a game, believes he is ready for his new role. He knows the offence and has learned to take care of his body.
“I have to have confidence in myself, so I go out there and just try to make plays,” said the 2016 fifth-round draft pick, who knows he has to protect Eli Manning to keep his job.